A carriage house turned into a self-described public house, 61 Local is a multifaceted space serving a locally sourced menu to Cobble Hill. It is outfitted with communal tables, a Community Sourced Agriculture area (known as CSA) and a self-order bar with a map of local purveyors as the backdrop.
Some tables marked “laptop-free,” which can serve as an icebreaker for strangers to strike up a conversation over, say, a spiced chai latte ($4) and avocado toast ($11), which is prepared in open view behind the bar equipped with both a server and a kitchenette. The barista/bartender brewed, poured and recommend a variety of beverages from area roasters, wineries and breweries. With brunch offerings on the weekend from 9am to 3:30pm, guests can indulge in a hearty bowl of Chick N’ Grits ($13) piled high with Southern-style cheese grits from Nora Mill Granary, chicken garlic sausage from Brooklyn Cured and neon-green chimichurri made with hints of mint and cilantro. With breads from Hot Bread Kitchen and butter from Ronnybrook Farm, the blowtorch-toasted open-faced BLAT ($13), challah French toast with ricotta mousse ($8/one slice, $13/two slices) and corn biscuits with hot honey ($6) are ideal for sharing or as stand-alone items.
Neighbor to the G-train at the corner of Bergen and Smith Streets, 61 Local is a quick stop for some and a resting place for others. In addition to the brunch fare, diners can enjoy a sample beer flight for $3 each while partaking in one of 61 Local’s many community events, such as open mic on Tuesdays, web-series screenings or poetry night, hosted by the Brooklyn Poets.
This community space offers more than your average restaurant, and it works. Far from gimmicky or undefined, 61 Local’s philosophy states it is all about connecting people, and it is definitely doing that in more ways than one.
BY TIME OUT COMMUNITY REVIEWER: SHELLY FLASH